Culture and communication. Theoretical and pragmatic approaches to European values and their complications

Content

The course aims to map issues emerging in everyday interaction, caused by differences in cultural backgrounds and by different interpretations of the respective roles of the individual and society. Such misunderstandings may be manifested between countries as well as between different communities within the same country. Students are invited to reflect on six sub-themes, on the basis of their own experiences and the theoretical tools provided during the course: family, politeness, media, time, space and memory. The course ends with a group project, a mini-documentary illustrating the problems discussed and a follow-up discussion.

Learning outcomes

Students understand culture-specific features and can analyse different situations on the level of the individual, practices of cultural communities and linguistic expression. In addition to general cultural knowledge and intercultural communication competence students will develop teamwork skills, empathy and generalisation skills that help them cope in mentally challenging situations.

Programme

The first two weeks of the course take place in Tartu: there will be three theoretical lectures, three seminars which give students specific guidelines for teamwork and preparatory teamwork. In addition, students will participate in a cultural programme and student events that support the acquisition of material introduced in lectures and seminars. Students will complete the second part of the course in the countries of origin. The teamwork will end with an up to 6 min short documentary that addresses one of the topics discussed. This will be followed by joint discussion and feedback via Zoom.

Assessment

Participation in teamwork

Lecturers

• Marcin Raiman: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Raili Marling: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Janika Päll: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Francisco Espino Esteban: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Stéphane Lojkine: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This course is open for the students of Ghent University, Uppsala University, the University of Göttingen and the University of Tartu. Please follow the guidelines given by your home university.

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